A six-member delegation from the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) visited the National Organization for Drug Control and Research (NODCR) laboratories to evaluate quality regulations and standards being applied in Egypt. During the two-week visit the delegation inspected laboratories in Haram, Agouza and Kafr el-Gabal. The delegation is expected to submit a report, after its return to the US, on the Egyptian Health Ministry's application of international quality standards to pharmaceuticals. Kamal Sabah, the health minister's assistant for pharmacology, told Al-Masry Al-Youm the Health Ministry invited the USP delegation to visit the authority's laboratories to increase people's trust in the safety and effectiveness of medicines. In related news, Hatem el-Gebali, the health minister, appointed a new director for the NODCR, replacing Mona Mahdi. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
